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WASHINGTON, April 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in response to today's announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that more than 30 million Medicare beneficiaries are receiving prescription drug coverage:
"Rather than playing games with the numbers and taking credit for seniors who already had prescription drug coverage, Democrats are focusing on helping the millions of seniors who are struggling to pay for lifesaving medications.
"Approximately 50 percent of all seniors who previously did not have prescription drug coverage still have not signed up for a plan. Today's enrollment numbers highlight the need for the Administration to extend the May 15th deadline so that seniors have enough time to choose a prescription drug plan that works for them. Otherwise, seniors will have to pay the price for this confusing and complex program when they are hit with the Bush prescription drug tax -- a 7 percent lifetime penalty for those who do not enroll by May 15."
http://www.usnewswire.com/
WASHINGTON, April 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement
by former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, honorary chairman, Medicare
Rx Education Network, on Today's CMS Release of Updated Enrollment
Figures for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit:
"That Medicare has surpassed its enrollment goals speaks volumes. Clearly, seniors are finding the prescription drug benefit worth the time and effort it takes to sign up. The enrollment numbers have increased dramatically in the last four weeks and so has the rate at which beneficiaries have been signing up. Some 8.1 million now are enrolled in stand-alone plans, 5.8 million in Medicare managed-care plans that include prescription coverage and, all together, more than 30 million Medicare beneficiaries now have some form of prescription drug coverage. Seniors are experiencing the savings and peace of mind that the Medicare prescription coverage brings and, as that positive experience accrues, it becomes proof positive of the benefit's value and translates to motivation for those who have yet to sign up to do so.
"A recent Medicare Rx Education Network survey found that many of those who had signed up recommended seeking help with the enrollment process. That help is readily available to every Medicare beneficiary by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for one-on-one counseling.
"The May 15 open-enrollment deadline is fast approaching and one-on-one counseling hopefully will help healthy beneficiaries who don't yet take many prescription drugs and may be dragging their feet about signing up to understand the value of this long- term coverage."
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The Medicare Rx Education Network provides information and assistance with outreach and education for the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. The network, which includes 79 national organizations, is chaired by former U.S. Senator John Breaux. Members share an interest in educating Medicare beneficiaries about the new Medicare prescription drug benefit and work closely with the appropriate federal agencies to obtain up-to-date information to ensure that information disseminated by the network about Medicare Part D is factual and accurately conveyed so that beneficiaries and their caregivers can make informed choices. By sharing information with each other about member organizations' independent efforts, collaborating on activities, and identifying ways to work together, the network aims to eliminate duplication of efforts and maximize the effectiveness of outreach efforts. The network does not engage in legislative activities or take positions on pending legislative or administrative policies related to the Part D benefit and its implementation.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Manufacturers and suppliers of power wheelchairs today assailed cuts of 21 percent to 41 percent in Medicare payments for power wheelchairs, saying the reductions would force suppliers out of business, cause lay- offs throughout the industry and restrict access to mobility equipment for senior citizens and people living with disabilities.
The reimbursement cuts, announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), hit particularly hard at the most sophisticated mobility equipment, which is needed by people with the most severe physical disabilities. For instance, a supplier who has been receiving a $6,500 reimbursement from Medicare for one such wheelchair will only receive $3,800 after the new pricing is effective on Nov. 15.
"The problem that CMS doesn't understand is that we don't have anything to cut," declared Carol Gilligan, president of Health Aide, of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio. "At these reduced rates, the cost of acquiring a wheelchair, fitting the patient, servicing the chair and doing the documentation paper work will exceed the amount that Medicare will pay for the chair. We can't stay in business operating in the red. Patients are not going to have outlets to get the mobility equipment that they need."
Industry officials said the underlying problem is that as the American society ages, there has been a significant increase in demand for power wheelchairs and scooters by a population that wants to remain as independent and as mobile as possible. CMS has reported a 2,700 percent increase in utilization over the past eight years. However, over the last three years CMS has responded to the increased demand for mobility equipment with a series of policy, rule and pricing changes that appear to be aimed at restricting beneficiary access to mobility equipment, crippling the industry that supplies it and restraining costs.
"What we have is a regulatory body that has been focused on restricting access to the benefit," said Scott Meuser, CEO of Pride USA, a major manufacturer of mobility equipment. "Now, they have gone too far. The message from these price cuts is that CMS no longer wants the most physically disabled person in our society to have access to a power wheelchair through Medicare that will help him or her perform essential daily activities, such as grooming, preparing food and going to the bathroom. Medicare is turning their backs on the people who need help the most."
Meuser maintained that Congress and the Administration will hear strong protests from advocates for people with disabilities, as well as clinicians and physicians.
"We expect serious access issues for consumers with severe disabilities, as well as seniors with mobility impairments," said Mal Mixon, chairman and CEO of Invacare Corp., another major manufacturer. "We have an Americans with Disabilities Act that is supposed to ensure the highest quality of life possible for people living with disabilities. Yet, this Administration's payment policy for power wheelchairs will effectively prevent people with disabilities from being able to obtain the power wheelchair they need to get around in their homes, as well as in their communities."
Moreover, stakeholders say that CMS has taken a very shortsighted view because Medicare beneficiaries with power mobility equipment save the Medicare system millions of dollars because they require less homecare, hospitalization and emergency treatment from falls and fall related injuries. Studies show that people living with physical impairments who do not have power wheelchairs cost the Medicare system an average of $14,000 more per person than those with a power wheelchair or scooter.
The most immediate impact from the new pricing schedule will be felt by people like Paul Bergantino, President of ATG Connecticut Rehab, in Newington, Conn.
Bergantino has been supplying power wheelchairs for 16 years. But now he worries not only about whether his business can continue, but how senior citizens and people living with disabilities in his community will get access to power wheelchairs.
"Clearly, CMS does not understand the human side of this issue," Bergantino said. "Our business is about providing a high level of skilled care to those in society whom require power mobility and other assistive technologies. There is a cost to providing such a complex product, evaluations, fittings, technical service and in documenting it all in a highly compliant manner. Nevertheless, we love our patients and the outcome of our work. The really sad thing is this: we likely won't be here to give them that level of care. Medicare has abandoned them."
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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